Aghori Mhori Mei

Aghori Mhori Mei
Studio album by The Smashing Pumpkins
Released	August 2, 2024
Recorded	2022–2024
Length	44:41
Label	Martha's Music
Producer	Billy Corgan
The Smashing Pumpkins chronology
SP on the Radio 1988-89 / Starchildren Live 8.18.90 (2024) Aghori Mhori Mei (2024)
Singles from Aghori Mhori Mei
"Sighommi" Released: August 2, 2024

Aghori Mhori Mei is the thirteenth studio album by The Smashing Pumpkins. It was announced on July 19, 2024 after being added to the band's Spotify without notice, featuring the ability to pre-save the album and a countdown to its release. The album was released digitally on August 2, 2024, through Martha's Music and Thirty Tigers.

The album was written and recorded over a two-year period and is billed as a "rock and roll guitar record". Written and produced by Billy Corgan, the album is a progressive rock, alternative rock, heavy metal and pop record. The composition is largely driven by a mix of guitar, bass and drums with some mid-tempo tracks utilizing synthesizer and orchestral arrangements. The album had no singles prior to release. "Sighommi" was released as the first single from the album on August 2, 2024.

Background and development

In December 2022, drummer Jimmy Chamberlin posted through his official Instagram account that the band were "back in the studio". In May 2023, Billy Corgan announced that the band had already began work on a follow album to the triple album Atum: A Rock Opera in Three Acts (2022–2023). The band initially recorded 20 songs for the album with Corgan wanting to put out a record with "somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 to 12 songs". Corgan described the album a "straight up rock and roll guitar record" and stated that "it very much sounds like the ‘Siamese Dream’ / ‘Mellon Collie’ version of the band.

In June 2024, Corgan gave an update on the band having worked on the album for "almost two years now". He described the pressure of recording new material to deadlines, stating that "It's not healthy, but I've gotten used to it through the years". He reiterated that "It's very much a rock, guitar record, old school" and that "old-school fans will be happy, for once".

In an interview with Audacy in August 2024, Corgan described how the band wanted to get into the "mindset" of recording songs in the spirit of Siamese Dream but not replicating the exact sound. Explaining that "you go back to the old school but with a new version of yourself", he further elaborated on using the the old processes; "You just move on into other pastures, good and bad. You take your lumps as you go". The album was produced with the help of long-time band collaborator Howard Willing.

Composition

The standard edition of the album consists of 10 songs, all written and produced by Billy Corgan with production assistance from Howard Willing. The album has elements of progressive rock, alternative rock, heavy metal and pop. The albums sound was influenced by heavy metal bands such as Black Sabbath and Dio, with several tracks taking on the characteristics of heavy metal and progressive rock. Some of the tracks such as "Goeth the Fall" take on a mid tempo ballad styling, with "Who Goes There" leaning into a more "bittersweet pop" presentation.

From a music theory standpoint, the album is notable for its artistic lack of cadence and resolution at the end of many tracks. Instead of ending on the tonic chord, Corgan often closes the songs with a half cadence or suspended chord, making the listener feel as if the song is incomplete. A rare technique in Western music, it is a stylistic departure from the majority of Corgan's songwriting. All songs on Aghori Mhori Mei exhibit this technique except "Edin", "War Dreams Of Itself", and "Sicarus".

Lyrically, the album themes touch on the concepts of religion, music history, travel, and relationships.

Promotion and release

The album was released on August 2, 2024, through Martha's Music and will be distributed digitally through streaming services and digital storefronts initially. Physical copies of the album will be released in the future on exclusive edition Vinyl through frontman Billy Corgan's tea room Madame ZuZu's. Corgan announced that no singles would be released prior to the album's release, explaining that the band "had to give the knee many times to what is the first song and what is the first statement and let other people judge us by one moment in time. We felt the right way to hear this record was an intact body of work".

Critical reception

Aghori Mhori Mei ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
Clash	8/10
Kerrang
Beats Per Minute	82/100
Sputnikmusic

Many critics regarded the album as a return to form for the band. AllMusic highly praised the album calling it "a rock & roll pyre lit with myth and memory". Kerrang described the album as feeling "like the true return", summarizing the record by calling it "an excellent album that suggests intriguing possibilities going forward". Clash magazine equally praised the album. Describing that the band were "back and are ready to make a racket" and calling the album "a welcome surprise from one of rocks most unpredictable acts".

Reception amongst fans was reported as being "positive" towards the album. The album topped an "All-Genre Poll" ran by Billboard, with music fans naming their favourite new music release of the week.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Billy Corgan.

Main release

No.	Title	Length
1.	"Edin"	6:46
2.	"Pentagrams"	6:25
3.	"Sighommi"	2:58
4.	"Pentecost"	3:18
5.	"War Dreams Of Itself"	3:28
6.	"Who Goes There"	3:28
7.	"999"	5:43
8.	"Goeth The Fall"	3:25
9.	"Sicarus"	4:15
10.	"Murnau"	4:59
Total length:		44:41

Madame ZuZu's edition bonus 7"

No.	Title	Length
11.	"Formosa"
12.	"Our Lady of Sorrows"

Release history

Released	Label	Catalog ID	Format	Country	External sites
August 2, 2024	Martha's Music		Digital	Worldwide	Discogs	MusicBrainz	[1]

More releases: Discogs • MusicBrainz

Personnel

The Smashing Pumpkins

• Billy Corgan – vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards
• James Iha – guitar
• Jimmy Chamberlin – drums

Additional personnel

• Katie Cole – backing vocals
• Howard Willing – mixing
• Andrew Scheps – mixing (tracks 1-9)
• Ryan Hewitt – mixing (track 10)